against the Persian monarch,
the hardy veterans who had vanquished, on the banks of the Rhine, the
fiercest nations of Germany. While Julian used the laborious hours of
his winter quarters at Paris in the administration of power, which, in
his hands, was the exercise of virtue, he was surprised by the hasty
arrival of a tribune and a notary, with positive orders from the
Emperor, which _they_ were directed to execute and _he_ was commanded
not to oppose.

Constantius signified his pleasure that four entire legions, the Celtae,
and Petulants, the Heruli, and the Batavians, should be separated from
the standard of Julian, under which they had acquired their fame and
discipline; that in each of the remaining bands three hundred of the
bravest youths should be selected; and that this numerous detachment,
the strength of the Gallic army, should instantly begin their march, and
exert their utmost diligence to arrive, before the opening of the
campaign, on the frontiers of Persia. The caesar foresaw and lamented the
consequences of this fatal mandate. Most of the auxiliaries, who engaged
their voluntary service, had stipulated that they should never be
obliged to pass the Alps. The public faith of Rome, and the personal
honor of Julian, had been pledged for the observance of this condition.
Such an act of treachery and oppression would destroy the confidence and
excite the resentment of the independent warriors of Germany, who
considered truth as the noblest of their virtues, and freedom as the
most valuable of their possessions.

The legionaries who enjoyed the title and privileges of Romans were
enlisted for the general defence of the republic; but those mercenary
troops heard with cold indifference the antiquated names of the republic
and of Rome. Attached, either from birth or long habit, to the climate
and manners of Gaul, they loved and admired Julian; they despised, and
perhaps hated, the Emperor; they dreaded the laborious march, the
Persian arrows, and the burning deserts of Asia. They claimed as their
own the country which they had saved, and excused their want of spirit,
by pleading the sacred and more immediate duty of protecting their
families and friends. The apprehensions of the Gauls were derived from
the knowledge of the impending and inevitable danger. As soon as the
provinces were exhausted of their military strength the Germans would
violate a treaty which had been imposed on their fears; and
notwithstand